Illinois/Wisconsin join forces for drug re-importation, not good for Bush!

[undercoverduer]

This is the issue that I have been teasing about. Today Illinois and Wisconsin announced that they have joined forces for drug importation via the site http://www.i-saverx.net. This can be a huge problem for Bush as Wisconsin is a swing state and if he moves to shut down the site or importation he runs the risk of alienating voters (this has bipartisan support) however if he does not act he runs the risk of pissing off the drug companies. If the press forces Bush to answer questions on this issue he will be in a pickle. MSNBC thinks it can be a sleeper issue.

This is the story I teased on Friday night.

Here is a link to the story:

Monday, October 4, 2004 · Last updated 2:51 p.m. PT

Ill., Wis. launch drug import program

By MAURA KELLY LANNAN
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

CHICAGO -- The governors of Illinois and Wisconsin on Monday launched the first state-sponsored program to help residents buy cheaper prescription drugs from both Europe and Canada - despite federal laws banning prescription drug importation.

The program, called I-SaveRx, works through a Canada-based clearinghouse and claims it can save residents 25 percent to 50 percent off U.S. retail prices on about 100 prescription medications.

"Our program is about giving the people of Illinois access to prescription drugs that are in every way exactly the same as those we use here in the United States except for one big difference - the price," Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich said at a news conference with Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill.

"It means our senior citizens will no longer have to spend money they don't have just to pay for the medicines they need," Blagojevich said.
-snip-

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/apbiz_story.asp?category=1310&slug=Prescription%20Drugs

Drug imports could drive voters
In Minnesota and other states, governors seek
to help Americans shop in price-controlled Canada
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has launched a state web site to help people in Minnesota buy prescription drugs from Canada.
By Tom Curry
National affairs writer
MSNBC
Updated: 4:04 p.m. ET Sept. 22, 2004

WASHINGTON - It is a compelling issue that has the potential to motivate voters on Nov. 2: Prescription drugs will cost Americans an estimated $210 billion this year.
-snip-

Large majorities rejected the pharmaceutical industry’s argument that cheap drug imports would choke off money needed for U.S. drug firms to do research and development.

The Bush administration position, like the pharmaceutical industry’s, is that imports would expose Americans to risk from unsafe or ineffective drugs.

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has said that under his health care proposal, “all Americans will be able to buy less expensive prescription drugs from countries like Canada.”

So far the re-importation of prescription drugs has been a sleeper issue that has remained mostly dormant in the Bush-Kerry struggle. The most aggressive action on this front has come not from Congress, which is mulling over legislative proposals on drug imports and is not likely to act in the few weeks left before Election Day, but from some of the nation’s governors in states closest to Canada.
-snip-

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6059185/

[Dying Eagle]

1. Yet another

reason why I adore my Governor. Good job Gov. Doyle!!

:toast:

[undercoverduer]

2. ABC7 chimes in

Illinois, Wisconsin launch prescription drug import program

By Andy Shaw
October 4, 2004 —Governor Rod Blagojevich and Governor Jim Doyle launched a network to import cheaper drugs to Illinois and Wisconsin. The new drug import network violates federal law and promises 25-to 50-percent savings on prescription drugs.

"If you look carefully, we have a long and proud history of defying Washington, D.C.," said Governor Rod Blagojevich.

"They can go to court and we'll go in front of a judge," said Governor Jim Doyle, (D) Wisconsin.

Illinois and Wisconsin are teaming up in defiance of federal laws to initiate the first drug importation network in the country. The program has a 1- 800 number and a web site listing the cost and availability of drugs from Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
-snip-

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/100404_ns_prescriptiondrug.html

[Gabi Hayes]

3. thanks....my grandmother just went from about two hundred bucks

per year on medicine costs to FOUR THOUSAND, based on two new drugs she has to take for circulation: Pletal and Plavix

over three hundred bucks a month, just for those two

that cuts into her poker money, for sure

[undercoverduer]

4. I just looked plavix up. . .

. . .its a 35% savings. . .the other one was not available.

[Gabi Hayes]

5. thank you! where do you look it up, please? I haven't read links yet

that's a five hundred buck saving right there

hope they add the other one, as it's pretty widely used

[undercoverduer]

7. Its right on the i-saverx.net site

:kick:

[Gabi Hayes]

8. thanks....bookmarking

much appreciated

[Lefta Dissenter]

6. I was going to say

the exact same thing! He ran on the most boring platform of all - being a fiscal conservative - and has turned out to be an amazing man of great strength, courage and character. AND, he's got a great smile! :)

[undercoverduer]

9. Great piece on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel site

Europe added to drug program
Governors ignore FDA letters, support imported medication
By STACY FORSTER
[e-mail]
Last Updated: Oct. 4, 2004

Madison - In an end-run around drug-makers threatening to limit shipments to Canada to prevent sales to U.S. customers, Gov. Jim Doyle and the governor of Illinois announced a new joint program that will allow residents of their states to also buy cheaper drugs from Europe.
Advertisement

Since February, Wisconsinites have been able to order prescription drugs from three Canadian pharmacies with the blessing of the state.

But with talk of drug-makers slowing or squeezing shipments to Canada, Doyle and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich launched a Web site that expands the number of markets and alternatives for buying expensive medications. The new drug sources are in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

"At some point, American pharmaceutical companies are going to have to face up to the fact that people are really angry that they're paying exorbitant prices," Doyle said.
-snip-

http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/oct04/264122.asp

[undercoverduer]

10. Kick

:kick:

[babylonsister]

11. I hope Kerry mentions this

little gem in one of the debates. It's so much FUN to see Shrub* with egg on his face! Explain that, sucka!

[undercoverduer]

12. Yup

Bush should not have to wait until after the election to make up his mind about this.